BJP Hits Back at Akhilesh Yadav Over ‘100 MLAs’ Offer, Says “Save Your Own Legislators First”

Lucknow: A fresh political war of words has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered a provocative challenge to the ruling BJP, inviting either of the state’s Deputy Chief Ministers to bring 100 MLAs and claim the Chief Minister’s post — even if only for a week.

Speaking at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav said, “We repeat our offer — bring 100 MLAs and become Chief Minister. Whoever brings 100 legislators will be made Chief Minister for one week.” The remark came while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on an overseas visit to Japan and Singapore, adding political undertones to the timing of the statement.

The comment quickly triggered sharp reactions from the BJP leadership.

Keshav Maurya’s Counterattack

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed the offer outright, stating that no BJP legislator would join the Samajwadi Party.

“Forget about 100 MLAs — it will be a big achievement if Akhilesh Yadav can safeguard his own legislators,” Maurya said before departing on an official visit to Germany.

Earlier, he had taken to social media to criticize what he termed the “politics of hooliganism,” suggesting that such political legacies do not endure for long.

‘More Like a Cartoon Character’: BJP Spokesperson

BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla also launched a scathing attack, calling Yadav’s statement a reflection of “political frustration.”

“He appears less like a serious politician and more like a character from a cartoon channel. Whenever he comes on television to speak, people laugh. The public has stopped taking him seriously because he fails to treat serious issues with seriousness,” Shukla remarked.

‘Politics Is Not a Wrestling Arena for Hire’

UP minister and Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad indirectly targeted the SP chief, saying the statement itself proves a lack of strength to form a government independently.

“Politics is like a wrestling arena — one must fight on one’s own strength. Leaders of the past built organizations from the ground up. Victory cannot be achieved with hired wrestlers,” Nishad said, drawing a metaphor to underline his criticism.

‘Mocking Democracy’

BJP leader RP Singh termed the offer a “mockery of democratic values.” He alleged that Yadav resorts to such statements because he knows he cannot become Chief Minister on his own strength.

History of Political Sparring

The rivalry between Akhilesh Yadav and Keshav Prasad Maurya is not new. In 2022, during a heated Assembly session, the two leaders engaged in a sharp exchange over the performance of the previous SP government, forcing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene and appeal for decorum in the House.

With Panchayat and Assembly elections approaching in Uttar Pradesh, political rhetoric has intensified, setting the stage for an aggressive battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Samajwadi Party.